FanMade: Review Phase II “To Serve All My Days – Night in 69″ + New P2 Guest Cast Anouncement May 4, 2008
by John Tenuto , Filed under: Fan Productions , trackback
"To Serve All My Days," featuring Walter Koenig and a script by DC Fontana, was originally released by Phase II (then New Voyages) on November 23, 2006. It’s new level of sophistication for home-made Trek sent ripples through the fan film community. Now it has been ‘reissued’ with a special ‘Night in 1969′ edition with new edits, additional footage, new effects, new music…and even a new ending.
REVIEW "TO SERVE ALL MY DAYS – NIGHT IN 1969 EDITION"
While not without its problems, when it was released, TSAMD was definitely the best New Voyages episode, and arguably the best Trek fan film ever made. However, it was eclipsed by their 2007 release of "World Enough and Time" (which this author freely admits is among his twenty favorite hours of any version of Star Trek). Possibly as an attempt to bring TSAMD up to par with WEaT, Phase II has now created the special ‘Night in 1969′ Edition, which had a gala premiere on March 29, 2008 and is now available for viewing online. But, is the 1969 edition better than the original version? The answer is (almost entirely) yes.
Although the edition makes no changes to the actor’s performances, some subtle changes in editing makes most performances feel tighter (the new version ends up running about 90 seconds shorter than the original). As with all fan films, the most challenging part is with the acting, but in TSAMD the main Phase II cast may have put in their best performances (even better than "World Enough and Time"). James Cawley effectively brings his own version of Kirk to the screen as does John Kelley whose sympathizing Doctor McCoy is made without without imitating DeForest Kelley. Jeff Quinn shows a lot of talent at playing (and looking) like a Vulcan, although sometimes he is not fully convincing as Spock himself. Charles Root’s Scotty is still the weakest link, but luckily "To Serve All My Days" has fewer of the over-the-top Scottishisms of "World Enough in Time."
As with WEaT, much of the strength in acting comes from the guest cast. John Carrigan brings just the right TOS-era Klingon spirit to his Captain Kargh, and it is nice to see Phase II use him as a regular villain. It is also fun casting to have Mary Linda Rapelye, who played Irina in the TOS episode "The Way to Eden," return to Trek and she delivered a good performance in a somewhat strange role as Ambassador Rayna Morgan. However, it is Walter Koenig’s reprise of the role of Chekov that is the is the best thing about TSAMD. Koenig’s challenging performance makes it very easy to empathize with Chekov’s rapid aging situation, and leaves viewers with the distinct wish that we had seen more of Chekov in past Trek episodes and films. Andy Bray (Phase II’s Chekov) had the difficult task of not only appearing in the same episode as Koenig, but even in a number of (sometimes very amusing) scenes with the original Chekov. Koenig was always able to balance naïveté with ability, Chekov may be young, yet he is a scientific genius and a Starfleet trained navigator. Bray holds his own and is at times a mirror image of Koenig’s 60s performance, but could learn more about that balance.
Bray and Koenig share a moment in "To Serve All My Days"
The most obvious and biggest improvement for the 1969 edition, is the special effects. The original version’s effects felt both unfinished and also anachronistic with The Original Series, even including a movie era Klingon Bird of Prey. Almost all the new effects (including the opening title sequence) were done by Daren Dochterman, who recreates the Enterprise to a degree never seen before in a fan film. His technical and artistic talents make this episode truly feel like a night in 1969, especially in the sequences with the Klingon ships. The one quibble with the new effects would be the new opening teaser sequence (which was the only part not done by Dochterman). The BoP has been replaced with a D-7 and the effects are rendered beautifully, in particular a new shot of Babel. However, the shaky-cam styled chase in a snowy asteroid environment just seems inappropriate for a 1969-themed episode. Another area worth mentioning is how the Phase II crew seamlessly blend their real and virtual sets together. There are many images or display panels that the average viewer would not know are CGI, and some of these have also been improved in the 1969 version.
New teaser effects sequence, exciting but not exactly ‘1969′
Dochterman’s Enterprise is…perfect
As for the production design, there are no needed changes with the 1969 edition. Producer James Cawley is a well-known Original Series purist and so it is no surprise that TSAMD has excellent (and very TOS) costume designs, sets, props, and makeup. The Klingon makeup and the aging of Chekov are especially well presented. The only complaint is that you don’t get enough of a look at many of the episode’s alien ambassadors. The cinematography is alse well done, although the lighting occasionally seems too dark. TOS is well-known for bright colors, but at times the lighting was more reminiscent of DS9.
Another bonus of the ‘1969′ edition is the use of original Star Trek music from the television show. The music works effectively, adding both emotion and a sense of nostalgia to the scenes. Plus, the authentic soundtrack includes all the best Star Trek sound effects. One unfortunate element that is missing from the online version of the 1969 edition (but shown at the Beverly Hills premiere), is the period commercials and clips from 1969. Apparently there were rights issues, so you will just have to imagine them yourself.
Watch closely or you will miss much of the new alien make-up and costumes
Probably the biggest problem with TSAMD is something that the new 1969 edition cannot fix. While DC Fontans’s script has worthwhile elements, most especially her strong sense of character, the story just doesn’t hold together and fails to feel like an original Star Trek episode. Firstly, the structure of the episode is cumbersome trying to deal with two "A" stories: the Federation Crisis and Chekov aging. And the dire crisis in the Federation economy, which would usually be the primary story, isn’t given the appropriate attention. In the first act, Ambassador Morgan warns "we must find a solution or I am afraid the Federation may not exist much longer." But by the end of the episode, they have only resolved a tangential matter to this crisis, leaving the Federation on the brink of collapse. Will Phase II pick this up again or has it magically solved itself by "World Enough and Time?" Plus, how exactly is there a monetary crisis in a Federation that has moved beyond the need for money?
The second narrative of Chekov’s aging, a sequel to the episode "The Deadly Years," is handled much better. It is an excellent character story with an interesting May-December romance between Chekov and Ambassador Morgan. The 1969 version does add a bit to the Chekov story, with a brief yet poignant flashback sequence to "The Deadly Years." The scenes with the aged Chekov on his own, with Morgan and with his younger self ran the gamut from pain, to love to laughter and were truly a capstone for the character. You can see why Koenig has described it as his ‘goodbye to Chekov.’ The most daring part of the story is how it ended, and here is the one instance where the 1969 version may have actually made something worse. [SPOILER WARNING] As with the original version, we see Chekov die and sort of walk off into the sunset. This created obvious continuity issues, but that is how Fontana and Koenig wanted to do it (Fontana contends that all future instances of Chekov are actually his cousin Sergei). Instead of just ignoring the continuity complaints, or actually reworking some kind of deus ex machina fix, the 1969 version adds a joke at the end of the credits, essentially making everything that preceded a Vodka-induced dream. Although this resolves continuity issues, the audience may feel manipulated and cheated now knowing the episode had no real consequences and (joke or not) much of the emotion of the episode ends up being rendered moot.
A powerful scene, but did it ever happen?
In the end, despite some issues with the story, there was always much to admire about "To Serve All My Days," especially the performances of Walter Koenig and James Cawley. The new edits, music and special effects of the "Night in 1969 Edition" have now brought it (almost) up to the level of the excellent "World Enough in Time." That being said, the ending should have been left intact. This isn’t Dallas; Phase II should continue doing what it does best, tell stories of worth and consequence.
Watch TSAMD right now: streaming at Dragonfly.
PHASE II ANNOUNCE NEW GUEST CAST
Star Trek alumni and fan favorite BarBara Luna will appear in the next episode of Star Trek: Phase II, scheduled to go before the lens this June at the Retro Films Studio in Upstate New York. Written by Trek author Dave Galanter, from a story developed him and fellow Trek writer Greg Brodeur, “Enemy:Starfleet” will be directed by Kevin Rubio. Guest star BarBara Luna is best known to Trek fans for her unforgettable role as Lt. Marlena Moreau in the original series episode, “Mirror, Mirror.” According to executive producer James Cawley, “[Luna's] role will be very unlike her appearance in our first episode – it will be much more substantial than her guest appearance in “In Harm’s Way.”
Also appearing in this episode is Kevin Pereira, a Star Trek fan and host of G4tv’s Attack of the Show (AOTS), Pereira will play Lt. Kevin Riley, a role first made famous by actor Bruce Hyde. "Kevin in a mainstay at G4tv,” said James Cawley, “we are exited to have him on the set and I think it will be a blast to have him play another classic Enterprise crewmember.”
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Comments»
What an amazing tribute to the ingenuity of Trekfans.
Hot damn Dirty Darren !!!!!!! What beautiful effects!!!!! PLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASE do the Balance of Terror!!!! And TREK V !!!!!! Amazing work Darren!!! See guys!!
Lighting – Check
Beautiful Renderings – Check
Realistic movement of the ships – Check
Rendering – Check
Modern Artistic spin yet honors the Original effect – Check
Cool factor – Check
Sense of Mass and Scale – Check
CONSISTANCY – Check
Dirty Darren – Check
I saw the first one, now I’ll check out the remake. Hopefully, Chekov lives in the new version… Continuity is a good thing, overall. (Major character deaths don’t make sense when you’re looking at the big picture, and KNOW it’s not how it’s supposed to be).
2, I meant that there are so many new aspects of Trek always left to be discovered and refined.
OK, I’ll give Phase II a View II.
I’ve already kvetched about the ending, so let’s see what they dreamed up this time. I really like the two Chekovs and I didn’t think I would.
I saw this episode of New voyages it was pretty good.
I went to the screening of “To Serve All My Days” and I must say that I was very impressed. This was only my second viewing of a fan film and was pleasantly surprised at how well Cawley and his team put it together on such a limited budget. I thought the acting was very good, especially that of the two Chekov’s, Andy Bray and Walter Koenig.
Keep up the good work guys
Chris, Cawley has absolutely got to have you take a turn in your father’s role. Root can sit one out (or they can add a Scotch joke in the credits.) It is a moral imperative that you inhabit the role at least once. Cawley owes you. Really. You were in a movie together — although I’m beginning to doubt that, since they tell me it won’t be out for another year. sheesh.
Just got done watching it too. I loved it. Good Job.
Daren’s Enterprise is good.
Phase II casting……mmmmm Barbara Luna. Yeah. Love her. Lover her.
HI-DEF TORRENT!
The only reason I even check out New Voyages to begin with is because it has the best eye candy, yet somehow they’ve decided it’s best to release their latest in the poorest quality yet. :(
If anyone should have done the effects for TOS-R, it should have been Daren Dochterman!! It says a lot about the crappiness of CBS-Digital’s work if some guy on his computer at home cranks out higher-quality stuff than they did.
DARAN IS THE MAN!!!!
New Voyages is far from TOS purism, especially the first episode they did. Starship Exeter is far superior. The fanwank over Dochterman’s work is overrated.
This was, shall I say, a most Russian ending.
In the hands of fans such as those responsible for this beautiful work, Trek lives and prospers.
Congratulations on a work well done!
i have not been lucky enough to see any of new voyages/phase 2 but its seems all good.
Any good links?
Must the Exeter vs. Phase II battle be fought here? I like Exeter very much… and think that all the fan outlets should be honored and enjoyed… Be nice. All the “fanwank” happens on many levels, for many productions… all depends on who you ask. I think there is room for everyone to play in the sandbox.
13. cbspock The fanwank over Dochterman’s work is overrated.
..and that. Is one man’s opinion.
shat hands…there is a link in the article
cbspock, warning for trolling
for the record, TrekMovie has kept in touch with Exeter (via Dennis Bailey), and we look forward to reviewing their 2nd episode when they finish it.
I like both Exeter and P2 (Phase II or did I just congratulate Playstation 2?)
Anyway — is there an update on when the Exeter ep will be finished. It looked done except for the (and prepare to laugh at my spelling) denoument.
FYI, “intact” is a single word, and should read that way in the last paragraph of the TSAMD review. “In tact” makes sense only in convoluted sentences such as, “Abe’s social skills are superior to Bill’s both in humor and in tact.”
#13 – I’ve gotta agree with you there, about New Voyages being far from TOS purism, and I DEFINATELY agree that Starship Exeter is a lot better, especially the latest episode. I have to disagree about Daren’s work, though – it’s the best you can get without using physical models.
I didn’t like the direction of the ship action, though; the whole “shaky hand-held camera” fad has got to be the stupidest idea that has come out of the industry. I couldn’t see what the hell was going on, ESPECIALLY with the ice-field sequence!
And no amount of digital effects work, good or otherwise, can compensate for the painfully horrific “performances” from the “actors.”
Sorry for posting three-in-a-row, but I had to point it out…if Cawley REALLY was a TOS purist, he wouldn’t have used the god-awful “Enterprise” versions of the Andorians or Tellarites! Wtf…
Anthony:
Let some us who have slower connections know where we can download this to our PCs to watch it after it downloads. The stop/start video of the link furnished above doesn’t work too well.
Thanks!!!
#24, Word from the Phase II mods state that there will be “NO” downloadable version. There have been a few people having problems playing the DragonFly version. A downloadable version would be oh so nice.
(shooting one’s self in foot?)
I don’t like the idea of the “joke” ending. They could have easily done something else, that would have added to the story. I suspect that this episode is going to end up getting an alternative ending, or a sequel of some sort (a sequel would be better!) Hell, they could even pull a “Harry Kim” in a sequel, and have a Checkov from an alternate universe replace the one who died.
“Sergei” would be just as bad as a Vodka enduced dream.
The new ending sounds stupid. I was really looking forward to seeing the new version of the episode, and it sounds like there is a lot to look forward to. However, I always prefer to download the episodes. It basically guarantees that I’ll be able to watch the video uninterrupted, and even offline. I really, really hope a version is available for download soon.
James Cawley, thank-you again for all that you do. Changed ending or not, you are doing outstanding work. I eagerly await your next episode, Blood and Fire. But please, make them available for download like the others.
P.S.– I”m not saying that I liked the original ending to TSAMD either. But I did enjoy the overall episode, and World Enough And Time is one of the best Treks ever!
Mark Anton
Well its a nice tribute to Newhart.
I read with some disappointment the negative comments in this thread. I have no relationship with Phase II other than as a viewer, and I must say that tonight was the first time that I had seen any of its episodes. It impresses me that any group of people spend their time creating something of such interest expecting to receiving little more than the reward of having participated in a cultural experience that, in aggregate, has touched millions.
The fact is that this is a fan production and artistry in its purest, least financially implicated form. I hope that we can all appreciate personal dedication when we see it, and in Phase II, at least to me, it is there in abundance.
2
Dirty Darren. Ha. I wonder if Darren approves this moniker.
Hat Rick#20- You are 100% correct. I have watched only one episode of Phase II and found that it is really not my cup of tea – however, I applaud the devotion and sheer love of Trek that Cawley and his associates obviously enjoy. That they would put so much work and dedication into this huge project, and invite the rest of fandom to view their work is to be commended as well as praised. IMHO the same should be said for any fan that fashions any type of artistic endeavor in the image of our beloved Trek universe (yes, that includes the next film).
Saw the last few minutes of this at FedCon a few days ago. When I got home I was quite bummed out when I realized there is no high def torrent of it.
Dare I ask what the point of making this in such an awesome resolution/quality then not letting anyone see it? Seems such a waste.
Looked much better, but I agree that people attacking CBS-D, Darren, or Exeter is just plain foolish. Each to their own. it’s all fun stuff that raises interest in Trek. The ending was OK, helped make sense of his return in future episodes….but i agree that it cheapens the HUGE emotional impact type of ending that the episode had, right up until AFTER the credits. But, i applaude the “re-effort”, overall.
Dochterman’s “E” is so well done.
The guys are passionate and committed, they deserve our admiration.
However there is one thing about fan productions, and NV/P2 in particular, that keeps annoying me: the plots, the characters and the situations are blatantly fanboyish. The shows portrait too many Trek icons, just because fans will love them.
In my opinion, the only fan production that succeeds in breaking this scheme is Exeter.
A good effort by everyone.
It stinks
love what the new voyages/phase 2 people do, but why did you guys get that tool from G4 ?
Dammed that was good, wicked work guys!
will be watching tonight at my dads when i have a half decent connection
looing forward guys!
#37, if you are referring to your latest BM, I totally agree.
The new ending doesn’t sound at all good to me. I’m not too fond of the practice of pandering to the squeaky wheel. They should have left the ending and the episode’s integrity intact.
They’re doing a great job to continue the star trek name.
No downloadable version????
We have to watch instead that lousy jerky stream?
That defies the purpose of all the re-working!
New ending smacks of writer’s block. P-U!
“The original version’s effects felt both unfinished and also anachronistic with The Original Series, even including a movie era Klingon Bird of Prey.”
The opening was beautiful in the original version!
And the BoP was from ENT, not from the movies!
Ok, time for my 2 cents.Of course that and 3.50 will get me a Starbucks.I prefered the Original version to the new one. I think putting in the TOS music was a great idea, and I want to add that I have been a STNV fan from the start so this is in no way a slam on Cawley and crew. But it was an Insult to Dave’s School to change perfectly good effects.They gave Cawley some fine work when he needed someone to do this episode. The opening shot of the planet and city the shuttle came from are gone. Since its Season 4, having a BOP was fine. The ending Fight scene with the Big E seemed more 3 dimensional in Daves version, more nautical with layers as compared to the new straight on fighting and lacked the on your edge of seat that the 1st version had. The tighter story editing was better in parts moving the story but lacked that importance in the new ending fight scene. And yes I will once again make Doc comments. Doc quit trying to redo everyone’s work. Your the new STP2 guy let your stuff stand on its own rather than “Look how much better it would have been if I had done it.” It’s old, we know you can make some thing look like its the 1960’s, but Dude buy a calender for G sake. Im stil waiting on your Star Wars remake lol.
The original ending is intact as it was.
There is a tag after the end credits, with “Tongue planted firmly in cheek”
It is there for all the, “I don’t like the stand alone episode folks. ”
Was the tag ever meant to be serious, not on your life. I do have a sense of humor. LOL.
James
I loved the basis for this episode and I love dthe acting… the guy that plays Spoack and the guy who plays Scotty just don’t cut it for me though. Cawley’s performance was better this time around. and they kid that played chekov was dead on! I like the way he acts and how he became checkov. Walter Koenig was brilliant.
I know all you fanboys are wanking over the graphics.. but they were subpar. The CBS digital enterprise is finally looking the way it should be.
Overall i did enjoy this episode. nice job on it!
Also, could they have just had Chekov die and then revert back to Andy Bray. Where the disease had ran its course and essential his body rebooted? Oh and more more small thing. Adding the Deadly Years piece was a Bad Idea unless they simply reshot the scene using Bray. Its make it obvious that Bray is a stand in and not Chekov. That would be like splicing in Shatner shots with Cawley. Well, time for that Starbucks ;)
I liked this very much.
Thanks for the kind words about “Exeter.” It’ll get here some day…some fine day…
I agree with Daren in regard to the “Production X is better than Production Y” stuff – as a participant in making fan films I find it enervating and disheartening.
Even *assuming* that some filmmakers might find a sense of competition energizing, it’s hard to imagine that any one of us would enjoy watching the audience fight about it.
And that said, I’ve been around fandom too long to expect that any controversy – no matter how trivial – will not be carried on via the Internet until Doomsday.
And the viewscreen on Jefferies’ Enterprise is rotated 36 degrees off of the centerline, so there! LOL
#50 “And the viewscreen on Jefferies’ Enterprise is rotated 36 degrees off of the centerline, so there! LOL”
My wife often says that I am rotated 36 degrees off the centerline. Must be a trekker thing.
These are what we call wonderful developments in Phase II history. I haven’t seen it yet but you can bet sugarlilies to dragonflies that I will soon. Good work, JC™.
BEST!!
=h=
Most days I’m 360 degrees off centerline. And yet I hardly feel the difference.
;-)
#45 The opening was beautiful in the original version!
And the BoP was from ENT, not from the movies!
Actually it was a mixture of both.
I don’t know if anybody noticed this, but at least in the original, the shuttlecraft that Chekov piloted in the beginning was called, the “Archer.” Most likely named after Jonathan Archer. I couldn’t tell if was the same in the remake because I could barely read it. But unless I hear otherwise, it was in my opinion.
Personally, I would have kept the “Dark Destroyer” a bird of prey. It is more in line with the Klingon Cloaking device in my opinion.
Another thing is that if other appearances of Chekov were his cousin, Sergei, then how come he is always referring to himself as “Pavel?” What reason would he have to pretend to be him?
47. James Cawley – May 5, 2008
Was the tag ever meant to be serious, not on your life. I do have a sense of humor. LOL.
Sadly it seems many others do not! Great job on the revamped episode James and crew. :)
Is it out yet? I went looking for this version and couldnt find it.
If they were gonna have to have this kind of ending why not make it more story related?
Have Chekov, wake up in sickbay. It turns out that the radiation had never aged him. McCoy cured him of the radiation. And all that aging stuff was a radiation-induced hallucination.
As for the Klingon ship cloaking thing…at that point in the episode it only read as a blip on sensors. So it doesnt even have to be klingons or even a ship. maybe a slight detect of V’ger (but no actual confirmation so as to ot disrupt canon)
i mean, theres only a 4 year gap between here and the movie.
why not?
i mean, it took the enterprise 4 years to get from earth to this point in space
tru its still a dream type ending but at least its not as cheap cuz u still have mystery from the blip on sensors. plus, that federation economy problem. so at least theres something still there from the story
John Tenuto: No “shaky cam” in TOS? Perhaps you’d better rewatch “Obsession”, which features several scenes with hand-held camera work.
Although I prefer the Exeter episodes to New Voyages, they have done some good work. However, as I’ve said before, they need to make DVD’s available to fans on a non-profit basis as other fan productions do. It is frustrating and time-consuming to download the DVD-quality files. Ultimately, it may not be worth it and they will have decreased their potential viewership.
Acting. Sometimes the guest actors “phone in” their performances. William Windom is a case in point. He almost scuttled that episode by turning in such a poor performance.
It’s a shame they’re only streaming now. I’d rather watch the episode on my 42″ TV than my 19″ monitor. The streaming tech doesn’t seem to work that good either, which really detracts from immersion in the story.
#58 – “No “shaky cam” in TOS? Perhaps you’d better rewatch “Obsession”, which features several scenes with hand-held camera work.
That may be so, but at least in “Obsession” you could STILL SEE WHAT THE HELL WAS GOING ON. That icefield sequence was an awful waste of Daren’s talent.
60. [The] TOS Purist aka The Purolator – May 5, 2008
-That icefield sequence was an awful waste of Daren’s talent.
That’s because Daren did NOT do the Ice Field segment. Read the review carefully, it says…”The one quibble with the new effects would be the new opening teaser sequence (which was the only part not done by Dochterman).” That part was done by Doug Drexler who works or at least used to work on Battlestar Galactica! Doug was one of the original New Voyages effects artists, but he had to leave before the original release of TSAMD was released. Daren thought the segment was fun and included it in the revamped episode. Sadly, I disagree with Daren on that one and found Doug’s segment to be extremely distracting…with too much cartoon like nonsense going on.
#58 Although I prefer the Exeter episodes to New Voyages, they have done some good work. However, as I’ve said before, they need to make DVD’s available to fans on a non-profit basis as other fan productions do. It is frustrating and time-consuming to download the DVD-quality files. Ultimately, it may not be worth it and they will have decreased their potential viewership.
THey used to. Cawley decided to discontinue the DVD after he caught people selling them.
Yeah Bailey let’s get Exeter to the finish line if they need more moolah let us know I have donated and would do so again.
Still have my nifty Savage Empire dvd laying around to prove it. It would be nice maybe for the Exeter guys to post here. Perhaps Beetle Bailey could facilitate something. Not to get into any sort of pissing match but Exeter is by leaps my fave, just one Lord of The known and yet unknown Universe’s opinion. Dirty Daren’s gorgeous work though has significantly helped the Phase II cause. I wish they had chosen to portray another crew as did Exeter but I do applaud their effeorts!!!
I already praised and thoroughly kissed Dirty Daren’s ass and wonderful work in my #2 eloquant post. One question though, Curious about the torpedoes>> Was it the streaming video or were they intended to move so slowly?? That is my one and only critique. Appeared I could outrun the torpedoes. It appeared Walter Hudson could outrun the torpedeos
I hate streaming video!!!!
I like Daren’s models, but I disliked the “loosey goosey” camera movements. They marred the early ST NV episodes and they do so here, too. Also, I disliked the battle scenes, primarily because the disruptor bolts appeared to be little more than colored lines and their impact felt far more cartoonish than anything else.
I agree #64. I wasn’t thrilled with the camera moves. The scene the other guy did at the beginning was not up to par with Daren’s work.
Watching this only made me want the TOS Third Season soundtrack CDs even more.
James, if you are out there, were these scores taken from the original music tracks or ripped from DVDs? It seemed like some tracks one on a bit longer than I remember them going in the episodes — particularly one piece from Spock’s Brain (used when Ambassador Morgan talks to Chekov on his “death bed”)…
It is SO damned irritating that these scores aren’t available on CD!!
DANG!!!!!!!!! But the guy makes a great young Chekov!!!! He’s the best of the new casting, as far as resemblance and acting style that is like Koenig, HE should have been the new Chekov in the new movie!
I thought it was terrible. The acting has got no better and if anything reveals the weakness of Walter’s talent too. At least we get to see him without wig.
I admire the dedication involved in making all of these fan films…but seriously? Putting “World Enough and Time” in your all-time Top 20 Trek episodes? That seems a bit much…
#68
World enough and time was actually really damned amazing. I put it up there with my favorites as well. It did something that modern Trek hasn’t been able to do since Next Gen left the airwaves, it made me feel something.
Sure, the core cast’s acting is shaky sometimes…but the story was fantastic. My wife, a very harsh critic, even said…wow.
TSAMD didn’t make me feel anything really, the story was ok…but it felt forced…and I think Mr. Koenig could have found a much more creative and less indulgent way to be involved with New Voyages. The future Checkov of the movies wasn’t strengthened through this involvement…he’s simply killed off, fulfilling that old stereotype that ‘every actor wants to play a death scene’. lol
Mr. Takei’s turn with NV was a completely different matter altogether. The story put the Sulu character through an amazing experience, and really strengthened the character of Sulu. When I see him in the movies now, I see a much more well rounded character. :)
To James Cawley if you’re out there… Listen… I love you guy and this is just a little constructive criticism and I absolutely love your work on Phase II and what you’re doing with Star Trek…. BUT (you did sense a but, no?) I would love to take you to a gym and put maybe about 5 to 10 pounds on you and also dye your hair a few shades of brown lighter. Not trying to be funny and again, I say this with no malicious intent nor to demean. But I do think you make an excellent Kirk… you’re just a little on the skinny side and the hair too dark… that’s all. Very much looking forward to the next episode of Phase II.
I just assumed that Chekov got rescussitated after he died, like Worf and Harry Kim.
I’m sorry, New Horizon, but I just don’t put any of the Phase II episodes up at that level (as impressive as they are, especially where production values are concerned).
I’m also sorry you (apparently) didn’t feel any emotions from the Trek franchise for the better part of fifteen years…DS9, Enterprise, and even Voyager episodes all had an emotional effect on me at different points in time.
No need to feel sorry for me, I just didn’t connect with the later series in the same way. I guess I can’t say I didn’t have ‘any’ emotional response from the later series, as there were episodes that did get my blood pumping, but after Next Gen (even in the last two years of Next Gen), the creative teams were far less inspired. Very few episodes were so thought provoking that they made my hair stand on end. Next Gen and Original series episodes almost always left me asking questions…they were more engaging. DS9 did try to jam a lot in sometimes, but I got really tired of all the space battles. Voyager was just vacuous most of the time, a ship where everyone tried to be a wise ass. Enterprise was actually doing some really great things towards the end. The 4th season had that feeling of wonder back…and I think if it had continued another year, would have really spread its wings.
At any rate, I can put WEAT up that high. I can look beyond the imperfections because the greater cause…the story…far outweighs what minor issues I have with the acting. It was truly some of the best Star Trek in years.
The problem I had with this version is the same problem I had with the original. If a character is going to die (for the purpose of serving the story being filmed) they can’t just show up in the next one with everything being fine and dandy with no explaination.
I really enjoyed this story, but if you are going to play the “no one ever really dies in science fiction” card give me the damn explaination in the same episode as to how he can appear in the previews for the next one.
Its obvious that I’m not the only one who seems to hav missed something here and please don’t say, “Its explained in the next one.” Like I want to wait six months to get the explaination.
It’s not explained in the next one! ;)
The episode is more of a personal piece for Mr. Koenig and Dorothy Fontana I think. In my opinion, it should have taken the fans into consideration a bit more, but it was still a good episode.
If you want to be an over-analyst the ending itself can be served as many symbolic meanings.
Not everything should be taken as face value. Sometimes u can look underneath the surface to find other meanings.
I actually don’t see that ending as the death of chekov just more of a beginning.
New Horizon – I feel kind of the same way. TNG was the last series to have the Roddenberry stamp, and it shows. I watched DS9 and Voyager regularly during their first few seasons (until they became unavailable in ym vieweing area) but I just never felt the same emotional attachment. Berman and I just don’t see eye to eye artistically on a lot of things.
I finally got a chance to see TSAMD last night. I liked it quite a bit; thought the acting, production values and special effects were all handled very nicely.
Kudos to Andy Bray for absolutely nailing Chekov’s voice and inflection. I also love and much prefer the old style “greasy” Klingons without the boney foreheads.
I can’t get behind the ending to the story though. While I understand where DC Fontana and Walter Koenig are coming from, these stories don’t exist in a vacum for me and I thought it rather careless (and even a bit selfish) on their part to just ignore 30 years of continuity just so we could get a touching scene at the end. Ms. Fontana’s assertions about “Sergei” are just too weak and the “joke” ending makes the whole episode kind of pointless. Neither ending really did it for me.
Also, if I may offer a bit of constructive criticism, I’d really like to see Phase II stand on its own and not be so dependent on “stunt casting”. While it’s neat to see Koenig, Takei and even the secondary actors make appearances, it can also be jarring and unnecessarily draw attention away from the other actors.
To James Cawley & Co.: don’t be afraid to go it on your own every now and then; I think you guys have the chops to pull it off. Just keep telling good stories with good production values and you’ll continue to get the attention you deserve.
Looking forward to seeing your next episode….
I’m new to all of this. It’s awesome that today’s technology affords fans the opportunity to complete self inspired work with excellent production values. It’s a great tribute to the series while providing satisfaction to its fans. Kudos to your efforts and continued success!
Y’know, it’s kind of odd and hard to predict (even for me) just which details will bother me and which ones won’t. They get so much of it so right that I feel bad nitpicking, but the one thing that bothers me every time is: it’s SO EASY to get hold of a 1960’s-era blonde ladies’ wig. Why does Nurse Chappell not have one?
#80 Y’know, it’s kind of odd and hard to predict (even for me) just which details will bother me and which ones won’t. They get so much of it so right that I feel bad nitpicking, but the one thing that bothers me every time is: it’s SO EASY to get hold of a 1960’s-era blonde ladies’ wig. Why does Nurse Chappell not have one?
Well she did have brown hair in TMP maybe this was when it changed. It could also explain when Scottie got is mustache.
I am going to say it this way about the ending. The only part that was a dream was when Chekov was walking toward the elevator. After saying “In the Fleet,” he passed out, and while he was sleeping, they managed to find a cure and give it to him. He woke up a few hours later thinking it was all a dream, and later on it got explained to him. That’s what I would say.
Good point about the hair, eagle! I’ve always said that a good Star Trek fan can explain away any inconsistency!
Everybody has their own opinions and are entitled to them. And we must admire that Cawley and crew have done SOMETHING very special in bringing us new voyages that remind and help us relive the glory tos days. And I for one, Much prefer the Enterprise Aliens to the original ones and was glad to see them in the background like that. I also agree that the next episode with Takei was the best and most memorable episode so far. It was the first one that I totally believed Cawley was Kirk. And Kirk got hurt. The story was excellent and the opening and end scenes with an older sulu and rand were wonderful. Two years ago at a celebrity breakfast with Takei, Koenig and Whitney at the Vegas Creation Con, I asked George if he could please ask Cawley to lose the ELVIS hairdo from the earlier episodes but I also knew it was part of his livelihood, but it looks like he has! Thanks Guy! That helps! haah But I must agree with others..I have some of the earlier episodes downloaded to my PSP and its great! The non downloadables do act up a lot even if you have a faster dsl or better connection. I hate watching 35 seconds of a scene then have to wait as it buffers….its worse than a commercial. And sometimes I cant even get them to work thanks to AOO HELL .. I have the same problems with the STAR TREK OF GODS AND MEN….And since they are free I wish i could put them all on my psp! Maybe they could be put on DVDS for a nominal fee that Paramount would get a portion of. I would buy all of them if I had the chance….but if it was copy protected, it wouldnt go on my psp.
Lastly, the new ending, as it is listed after the credits tongue in cheek is fine…At least Chekov wasnt in a shower saying it was only a dream?
I originally did wonder about the ending and continuity. Now that I know that the ending was the way it was because of Koenig it makes more sense as he was saying goodbye to chekov… Still it hurt to think of Chekov as dying and then seeing him the next episode made me go WHATTT??? hahah I think Im over it now though hahah
…Well, I just got done with the streaming revised version, and have only two quibbles:
1) As some others have noted, the hand-held camera work needed a bit more of the steady-cam applied to it. Not as motion sickness-inducing as the first half-dozen eps of BSG were, but annoying enough to detract from the otherwise pseudoprofessional look of the ep.
2) This is a minor one to some, but a real annoyance to me. Take a good look at the damage to the “nose” of the Enterprise. When the ship is parallel to the viewer’s POV, you can see all the way through to damn near the port side of the ship. Standard Damage Conrtrol ops would have sealed off the bulkheads and we’d never had seen that far back!
…On a side note, one thing I’d love Daren to do is to put up a website and show us just what he put behind each of the windows. I’m sure he’s probably got some really interesting “easter eggs” in those images.
…On another side note, you youngsters may not be aware of this, but Doug Drexler’s been in Trek fandom even longer than II have. Here’s his Memory Alpha article:
http://memory-alpha.org/en/wiki/Doug_Drexler
…So, while some of you might not prefer his approach to the asteroid belt scene, he deserves a lot more slack than he’s getting. And besides, if you forget that this was supposed to be a “Night in 1969″ event, the sequence was really well-done for what’s supposed to be a “fan-produced = inferior-to-professional” production.
Bottom Line: if any of the CGI truly deserved to be redone, it’s that “Rattlesnake Doomsday Machine” they did for “In Harm’s Way”. The episode was great, but that Max Rem dropped the ball with this one mesh…
“The non downloadables do act up a lot even if you have a faster dsl or better connection. I hate watching 35 seconds of a scene then have to wait as it buffers….its worse than a commercial. And sometimes I cant even get them to work thanks to AOO HELL .. I have the same problems with the STAR TREK OF GODS AND MEN….And since they are free I wish i could put them all on my psp! Maybe they could be put on DVDS for a nominal fee that Paramount would get a portion of. I would buy all of them if I had the chance….but if it was copy protected, it wouldnt go on my psp.”
…This brings up a good point: has anyone tried any of the streaming feed capture utils on this particular feed? Also, has anyone else noted the severe pixelation around anything that’s bright red on a dark background, such as Uhura’s ti…er…shirt on her console? If I didn’t know better, I’d swear they capped this with an old analog capture board, such as the ones that were around about 10 years ago. I’ve an old trusty, reliable Intel ProShare 2.0 board that caps 30fps perfectly, but anything that’s severely red on a dark background gets all blocky around the edges, and that’s with no frame compression going on at all!
#18
many thanks anthony, think i was just being lazy
thanks again and love the site
86. OM – May 6, 2008
…..
…This brings up a good point: has anyone tried any of the streaming feed capture utils on this particular feed?
Well, as a matter of fact, I was able to download the streaming video on my hard drive, so I’m no longer dependent on the buffer problems during streaming. Just let your machine do the work, wait until it’s done, and instead of watching the whole file online, look for the file on your temporary folder (which every browser does have). Just search for *.flv files (that’s the file type you get it in). You may have to manually adjust the capacity of your temporary download folder to get the file, it has more than 400 MB, and it can be played with flv player (which is for free, just google it).
Good luck!
#85 – Bottom Line: if any of the CGI truly deserved to be redone, it’s that “Rattlesnake Doomsday Machine” they did for “In Harm’s Way”. The episode was great, but that Max Rem dropped the ball with this one mesh…
Not sure if you are aware of this OM, but Doug Drexler IS Max Rem. lol So you just complimented him with one hand, and slapped him with the other.
Regardless of his status, the visual style and approach he used in the early NV episodes, and in the asteroid field scene, were really cartoonish. Treat the ships as if they were real ships…not the road runner.
Personally, I thought the revamped chase in the asteroid belt to be terrific, even if the style is more Firefly/BSG than TOS. Particularly with the shuttle slaloming off the ice field, something quite difficult to pull off in CGI.
That said, I personally found “A Night in 1969” to be something of a mixed bag. The story does feel tighter now, and the genuinely fine performances by Koenig and Bray and some great production values still manage to shine. But flaws in the editing and direction (and just who is “Leo Walsh,” anyway?) prevent “To Serve All My Days” from totally escaping the curse of being an obvious fan production the way “World Enough and Time” finally did. Yes, Dochterman’s FX work is largely an improvement on the original cut, but as with Trek Remastered the quality of the renderings varies considerably from shot to shot. The Enterprise mostly looks great, and as anyone familiar with Daren’s work knows, his lighting for the 1701 is far more reminiscent of TOS than that of CBS-D. But I found his phaser and torpedo effects to be surprisingly anemic, and anyone who had problems with the lack of mass in the movement of the D-7 in the remastered “Elaan of Troyius” should have similar reservations—assuming they’re not just reflexive CBS-bashers–with the space battles in both versions of “To Serve All My Days.”
My main issue with the recut episode (and I understand this is purely a matter of personal taste) was the substitution of a perfectly adequate score in the original version with selections of music lifted directly from TOS, al la the first two “New Voyages” episodes. I can understand the reasoning behind it: to give the audience a nostalgic glow, along with the original television commercials, of experiencing a special night in 1969 (or a really cool acid flashback if they were old enough), but overall I feel it was a mistake. Tastes in scoring have changed considerably in the last forty years, and the inclusion of such well-known musical cues, however wonderful in their original context, struck me as forced and artificial in a modern production, actually reinforcing the notion that this is a fan film and not the “real” thing. (It also doesn’t help that the lifts are a mishmash of cues from all three seasons, leaving the “Night in 1969” score far less coherent than an average episode of TOS.) One of the best moments in “To Serve All My Days” is when Koenig’s Chekov laments that his dire situation is coming to seem “very Russian” to him—in the original version the way Koenig plays the line it’s both sweet and poignant, funny and sad, but now the TOS music just walks all over it.
One final item that I hesitate to mention at all, because I count myself as an admirer both of what “New Voyages” has accomplished so far as well as Jim Cawley’s truly grandiose ambition for the project’s future. As is noted in the credits, the setting for the Babel conference is Doug Drexler’s rendering of a design by architect and futurist Jacque Fresco, who I had the privilege of knowing some two decades ago. (Those interested should check out http://www.thevenusproject.com for more of his designs and notions on building a livable future, which are fascinating.) The shot was actually done for an award-winning film biography about Fresco’s life and ideas which came out in 2006. Thanks to a link from the “New Voyages” website I was able to get in touch with Jacque and his assistant and spend a very enjoyable day with them about a year ago. So, I owe Cawley and Drexler my thanks. During the visit they also spoke very warmly of Drexler and his giving so freely of his time and professional talents for a project he believed in. Nevertheless, even though he’s credited I’m concerned as to whether Dr. Fresco had actually given permission for his work to be used in a fan project based on an old TV series he unfortunately had very little respect for. (Neither did Carl Sagan; no one’s perfect.) Mr. Cawley, if you happen to read this, I hope you’ll take a moment to comment.
New Horizon sez: :”Not sure if you are aware of this OM, but Doug Drexler IS Max Rem. lol So you just complimented him with one hand, and slapped him with the other.
Regardless of his status, the visual style and approach he used in the early NV episodes, and in the asteroid field scene, were really cartoonish. Treat the ships as if they were real ships…not the road runner.”
…IN order:
1) Mea Culprit on this one. I honestly was not aware that Max and Doug were one and the same. However, I still stand by my observation that the “Doomsday Rattlesnake” needs to be redone to look more like the one as seen on TOS. Regardless of whether it was Doug or Joe Schmoe and his pirated copy of 3DS that he just figured out how to get it to save a single frame with a background, that version of the planet killer wasn’t up to snuff with the rest of the episode. Compared to that, one can easily ignore the “flat look” of the matting between Pike’s bridge and the bridge dome in that opening homage to “The Cage”.
2) You know, I’m mixed on the whole debate over whether Max/Doug’s earler efforts were as “cartoony” as about half the fans have claimied. The other half have pointed out that all the zooming and swooping and diving and climbing and otherwise flying starships as if they were jet fighters, while not having an exact precedent, does have some canonical clearance from Spock’s observation of Khan’s lack of experience in starship command – i.e., the comment about how he’s not taking advantage of the fact that space combat isn’t as limited to the X-Y plane as conventional atmospheric combat tends to be.
…On a side note, did anyone ever get a list of the commercials and interstitials that James added for that premier? I’m curious as to what he used, and whether or not he was successful in actually getting copies of commercials that would have aired in the fall of 1969.
I wish James Cawley would tell us when (not if) TSAMD: A Night in 1969 is going to be made available for download. I’m tired of having to watch the beginning over and over, hoping that the video won’t freeze this time. All the others are available via bit torrent. Why not this one? It is such a better way to watch and enjoy them.
Mark
when watching WEAT do you experience the same problems?
You may need to increase your paging space in your computer so you are caching well ahead of your pointer…
Its a common issue and will make all your online video viewing better
you need at least 2.4 gig of cache space…
adjustable in windows control panal…..settings under performance..
with XP or Vista
I have no problem watching it..
Tony
STP2
Production Crew member
I have to say, as much as the rest of my friends bitch and moan about it, Star Trek: Phase II has been the best fan-made anything that I’ve ever seen. They’ve got a certain je ne sais pas (fancy French speak for “I don’t know what”) that sets them apart from all the fan-fiction dimwits. The scripts really add to the show, and the characters, and the actors, while obviously not always “A-List”, are at least damned good. And the budget! They make very little go very far, and you’d never know! I’m waiting for the next episode (next month, right?) with baited breath. Gotta have something to keep me amused until the movie comes out!
Wasn’t there supposed to be a sort of explanation for Chekov’s death in World Enough and Time? I just watched that and i didnt see any kind of explanation. I know its not canon and as such it doesnt really matter what they do, with regards to tos continuity… Except, for me, and others it kind of does, the events of To Serve All My Days make it harder to believe.
Very confusing.
While i can appreciate it for the story, and it most certainly was very good work, is it really gonna roll with hardcore trekkies?
It doesnt sit well with me.
I NEED a realistic explanation.
Did i miss something in World Enough and Time?
I don’t know if people are still reading this, but I have just realized today that TV episodes that turn out to be all a dream is nothing new. I have seen it many times. Usually it happens sometime in the middle or near the beginning when somebody either faints, gets knocked out or goes to bed. It appears they wake up right away and go on with thier lives in the episode plot, but near the end, you find they have been asleep a lot longer than you thought and dreamed that whole episode. I happens a lot.
83. Star Trek Phase II has amazing consistency with Nurse Chapel’s hair. Most people didn’t notice that in the very last episode of the original series (”Turnabout Intruder”), Majel Barrett had brunette hair instead of blond hair. So, since Phase II picks up some time after that, they simply continue with Nurse Chapel’s brunette hair.
See Nurse Chapel’s brunette hair here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/10901121@N06/2494957437/
There are some complaints about not being able to download the videos. You can in fact download them — for instance “To Serve All My Days – Night in 69″ is http://content2.dragonfly.com/stp2/STP2_TSAMD1969_725.flv .
To play it you will need some sort of Flash movie player. Mplayer on Linux does the trick, for instance.
I’m thinking that in order to not piss of CBS / Paramount, Cawley and company have chosen NOT to make the episodes downloadable. I’m sure that will change as time goes by.
Kurt.
Dennis Bailey posted this on May 5, 2008
“Thanks for the kind words about “Exeter.” It’ll get here some day…some fine day…”
After hearing that for so many years, you’ll pardon fans like me who say, “You won’t mind if we doubt your word entirely.”
All that aside, while this was an excellent epsiode, it still violated continuity issues concerning Pavel Chekov. While I will admit that the Vodka-induced nightmare helped resolve the canon problem, it would have been a better episode if they had come up with another solution to cure Pavel.
And what about the economic issues concerning certain Federation Colonies? That was very interesting subplot that was worth exploring.
With plot holes like that left open, it just confirms some of the negative remarks people have made about both Star Trek-New Voyages/Phase II and Starship Farragut productions.
It’s a wonder neither production has annihilated each other like matter and anti-matter combined.